Speaking Out: Four Freedoms Then and Now

Overview

In this lesson, students will analyze a part of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s “Four Freedoms” speech and use primary sources from the Library of Congress to gain historical context. Next, students will explore sources from the Library to draw conclusions about the impact of the speech on American culture at the time. Finally, students will write their own “Four Freedoms” speech, outlining four freedoms they believe Americans should keep front-of-mind today.